6 Historical Sites and Memorials in Arlington, VA

Just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, you’ll find Arlington, Virginia. With its storied history, Arlington is a must-see when visiting the nation’s capital. Here, you can explore the city’s robust catalog of national monuments, such as the Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, but there are numerous other ways to explore.

Many tourist areas of Arlington are walkable, and most of the attractions have a terrific view of the various DC monuments and buildings across the river, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Monument, and the U.S. Capitol.

Homes for sale in Arlington offer many amenities that other areas can’t match. Below, you’ll find a few of the can’t-miss historic sites and monuments in Arlington, VA.

It’s somber and inspiring to walk the hallowed, rolling green hills of Arlington National Cemetery and gaze across the Potomac at the National Mall’s majestic monuments. This location is often the first stop visitors make when visiting Arlington. Located on nearly 640 acres near the Potomac River, it’s the most famous and hallowed cemetery in the nation. Arlington National Cemetery serves as the final resting place for thousands of men and women who have served in the military, ranging from President John F. Kennedy to the enlisted.

Those who are eligible for burial at Arlington include military personnel who die while on active duty, retired members of the armed forces, and certain family members. Graves in Arlington date back to the Civil War.

Visitors will feel a sense of awe as they begin their tour of Arlington, walking along the winding paths that lead to many gravesites. The most-visited spots in Arlington include:

The gravesite of President John F. Kennedy Jr. includes the eternal flame that was first lit by his widow, Jackie, during his funeral on Nov. 25, 1963.

Kennedy’s original grave was on a sloping hillside between Arlington House and the Lincoln Memorial, but it was moved a few years later to better accommodate the many visitors to the site. The eternal flame burns from the center of a five-foot circular granite stone at the head of the grave.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis was buried next to JFK on May 23, 1994. Other family members who are buried nearby include his brothers, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated on June 6, 1968, and Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who died in 2009. There is a memorial marker for JFK's oldest brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., who was killed in World War II.

Kennedy is one of only two presidents buried at Arlington. The other is William Howard Taft, who died in 1930.

Owners of Arlington real estate often take visitors to view the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier —  a white marble sarcophagus containing the remains of an unidentified World War I soldier and perhaps the most solemn gravesite in Arlington.

The west side of the tomb includes the inscription: “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.”

The tomb has been guarded around the clock since 1937. One of the most revered rituals at Arlington National Cemetery is the Changing of the Guard, an elaborate ceremony every hour, on the hour, from Oct. 1 through March 31, and every half-hour from April 1 through Sept. 30. Visitors watch in silence as a relief commander presides over the changing of the guard.

During each guard’s watch, they perform a precise routine that includes taking twenty-one steps down the black mat near the tomb, turning and facing east for twenty-one seconds, turning and facing north for twenty-one seconds, and then taking twenty-one steps down the mat. The guard also executes a "shoulder-arms" movement, placing their weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the guard stands between the Tomb and any possible threat.

The number twenty-one symbolizes the 21-gun salute, the highest symbolic military honor that can be bestowed.

 

The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial is located just north of Arlington National Cemetery., and this monument honors Marines who have lost their lives since Nov. 10, 1775. The massive statue depicts Marines raising the U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima, the subject of one of the most iconic photographs taken during World War II.

Other memorials in Arlington include the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, and the Women in Military Service Memorial.

The Pentagon is the world’s largest low-rise office building and serves as the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense. The massive five-sided building has become a symbol of the might of the U.S. military and boasts over 6.5 million square feet of space.

The Pentagon has its own stop on the Metro, and visitors are normally welcome at the Pentagon. However, since early 2020, tours have been indefinitely canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, the hour-long tour included a 1.5-mile guided walk through the building.

Standing tall above Arlington is the Air Force Memorial, three stainless steel spires that commemorate those who serve in the United States Air Force, and a display of granite walls with inscribed passages celebrates early aviation pioneers. Located at 1 Air Force Memorial Drive, this is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon.

Want to embrace history without perusing military monuments? Just head outdoors. Winding along the Potomac River, the Mount Vernon Trail is an 18-mile trail that runs from George Washington's historic Mount Vernon estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. This tranquil retreat from the bustle of Arlington is a fantastic way to take in a breath of fresh air. With spectacular views of the many monuments in DC, the Mount Vernon Trail connects with several other popular regional trails, offering a day-long hiking opportunity.

 

Theodore Roosevelt Island is an 88-acre island in the Potomac River that serves as a memorial to the 26th president. There’s a statue of Roosevelt and as well as trails, a boardwalk, and guided nature tours. When you browse Arlington homes for sale, you’ll find the island is accessible via a footbridge from the city, making this the perfect escapade for a sunny day. Theodore Roosevelt Island is also a popular area for kayaking and canoeing.

If you’re interested in buying or selling Arlington real estate in the near future, let Siebel Homes put their expert knowledge of Arlington real estate to work for you.